UT supports tying some funds to graduation rate - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen |

By MICHAEL BRICK
Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - University of Texas officials say they support a plan to link some higher education funds to graduation rates

In a statement to the Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon, Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa endorsed "outcomes-based funding for higher education."

The response followed a news conference by House Higher Education Committee Chairman Dan Branch, who said officials of some 4-year universities were working behind the scenes to undermine his proposal. Officials from the Texas A&M system did not respond to a request for comment.

Branch, a Republican from Dallas, wants to connect ten percent of higher education funding to measures of student performance.

Under current policy, much of the funding for colleges is based on enrollment figures.

About 25 states are discussing similar measures, according to the Washington-based advocacy group Complete College America.

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